Beyond the Wrench

From Technician to Filmmaker Spreading Positivity

Keith Smith, writer and visual storyteller of Straight Up Living, shares how he turned his ability to speak “technician” into spreading positivity in the automotive industry through his short film “From Bay Floors to Backroads.” In this episode, Keith walks us through his career as a technician, how he dove into filmmaking, and why he felt compelled to create uplifting visual content in an industry often surrounded by negativity.Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Keith Smith, Straight Up Living, thekeithesmith@gmail.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listFrom Bay Floors to Backroads videoAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

What’s Ahead for WrenchWay in 2026

Mark Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO of WrenchWay, joins us to recap 2025 and share what’s ahead for WrenchWay in 2026. They discuss the growing partnership with ASE and the launch of ASE Connects, efforts to collect better technician data, and key wins and losses from the past year.Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Mark Wilson, WrenchWay, mark@wrenchway.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listRegister now for Introducing ASE Connects: Building a Stronger Technician Workforce Together webinar on January 15, 2026 at 12pm ET / 11am CT. Check out Collision Careers’ job board to get connected with shops hiring entry-level technicians and apprentices. About WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

How Racing Legends Inspire Future Technicians

Steve Johnson and Larry Dixon Jr., legendary drag racers, join us to share their paths in racing and how they’re helping inspire the next generation of automotive enthusiasts and technicians. During the episode, Steve and Larry share their racing journeys, why everyone in life needs mentors, and how the BAT-man Scholarship supports future technicians.Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuests: Steve Johnson and Larry Dixon Jr.Links & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listBAT-Man Scholarship ProgramAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Proactively Growing the Industry’s Technician Pipeline

Lew Olivier, Director of Outreach at the MN State Transportation Center of Excellence, joins us to discuss growing the next generation of technicians. Lew explains how events like Nitro-X spark student interest in technical careers, what shops can do as a first step to get involved with schools, and how small actions today can have a lasting impact on the technician workforce.Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Lew Olivier, MN State Transportation Center of Excellence, llewellyn.olivier@dctc.eduLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listNitro-X Summer CampsInvesting in the Future: Measuring Employer ROI in Early Talent DevelopmentAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Raising the Standards & Respect for the Repair Industry

Ryan Kooiman, Director of Training at Standard Motor Products, joins us to talk about banding together to raise the professional standards in the repair industry. He covers the balance between technical curiosity and shop profitability, the importance of credentials like ASEs, and why mentorship is better for the industry than making young techs learn “the hard way."Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Ryan Kooiman, Standard Motor Products, rkooiman@smpsfa.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok